Vaccine Efficacy Concern Overshadows Vaccination Programs

Indonesia kicked off its mass vaccination program on Wednesday (1/13). President Joko Widodo received the first vaccine, followed by several parties, including state officials, professional organizations, religious leaders, and community representatives. "Even though the vaccinations program has started, I would like to remind you about the importance of discipline towards health protocols," said Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

Vaccination will be given to medical personnel and priority groups, including public officials, business people, community leaders, and army and police, until April 2021. The phased vaccination program would innoculate 70 percent of the population or 181.5 million people. Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Rosan Roeslani, hopes that vaccination will spur economic recovery. "We appreciate the government because this is what we need to recover in 2021," he said.